The Kite Runner by Khaled HosseiniThis essay will discuss the central themes of the book The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini. Because the story is told in a time before the War on Terror, it takes the reader back to an Afghanistan that the average American didn't even know existed and presents the current socioeconomic reality of a United States that one can choose to ignore. The description of Afghanistan before its many "occupations" is itself a tragedy. The Author portrays a country on the cusp of greatness, which obviously makes the inevitable future occupations even more tragic. When Amir returns to Afghanistan after nearly twenty years, his shock is palpable. He has returned to a completely different country and only fragments of his past remain. Amir's journey to redemption is the premise of this story. We see that he is essentially a good boy and man, but that he has made grave mistakes in seeking his father's love and attention. As a man, then, he is called to make amends for the sins of his past and to "do good again". His small successes provide the reader with a sense of familiarity as they face the daily battle between what is right and what is easy. The story begins in Afghanistan in the 1970s and spans over 20 years. It is told from the point of view of Amir, a rich Afghan boy who lives with his father and their Hazara (low-caste Shia) servants. Amir, an only child, spends much of his childhood with Hassan, son of his father's faithful servant Ali and also the best "kite runner" in Kabul. The boys grow up like brothers despite their social differences, but this relationship is put to the test after an important kite tournament. Amir is overcome with guilt when he allows Hassan to be beaten and raped... middle of paper... it is difficult for anyone to marry a member of another class and Hazaras are often victims of physical, emotional and psychological attacks at the hands of the Pashtuns. This is partly why Amir does not come to Hassan's rescue when he is attacked by Assef. The contradictory feeling of duty and being born into a class society has plagued nations for centuries. The irony of this particular story is that the United States is seen as a classless society for those seeking asylum from persecution in their homelands. Upon arrival, the once wealthy Amir and his father are reduced to the status of the average American immigrant. Forced to live in miserable conditions in small ethnic societies, their once wealthy lives quickly become the exact opposite. Living essentially the same life as Hassan in the United States is a bittersweet redemption for Amir and his father. In conclusion,